Author: Iain Fraser / Editor: Jessie Lynch / Codes: / Published: 09/09/2024
A 30-year-old woman presents to the Emergency Department (ED) with persistent nausea and vomiting that have been ongoing for the past week. She reports that she is approximately six weeks pregnant, based on her last menstrual period. She has been unable to tolerate food or fluids, and her symptoms have progressively worsened. The patient does not have any abdominal pain, fever, or diarrhoea.
On examination she appears dehydrated, with dry mucous membranes. Her blood pressure is within normal limits and heart rate is 103. Abdominal examination reveals no tenderness or guarding. The patient has not yet had an early pregnancy scan. She has been unable to attend work and is feeling persistently lightheaded. She has not had any bleeding per vagina. When asked, she feels as though she may have lost weight.
